Whereas bears could also be intimidating and scary to most individuals, they’re extremely fascinating creatures who’ve been the topic of mythology and legends for hundreds of years. And although there are solely eight species of bears, they’ve habitats in South America, Europe, Asia, and North America; bears exist on all continents besides Africa, Antarctica, and Australia.
After we consider bears, our first thought might be about how massive and protecting they’re of their households. We can also surprise about their survival throughout hibernation and harsh situations, their looking prowess, and even the darkness involving poaching and exploitation.
However with bear symbolism in thoughts, you will quickly study simply how majestic and revered bears really are.
Bear Symbolism & Religious Meanings Of Bears
Regardless of their repute for his or her savagery and aggression, bears symbolize braveness, power and energy, safety, curiosity, and belief. As well as, a bear represents non secular energy, concord in nature, instinct, primal power, and maternal love.
Although they’re fairly massive animals, bears can run as much as 35 mph relying on the species, and are in a position to transfer their limbs quick. They will additionally climb up timber and have good dexterity, making them good examples of what power and vigor appear to be.
Along with their looking and agility, bears are protecting and nurturing, particularly in direction of their bear cubs. A mama bear will do something in her energy to guard her younger, even towards male bears who’re recognized to kill cubs that are not theirs. Not solely are bears loving and protecting, however brave as properly.
On account of their excessive intelligence, bears are innately curious. Sure, they are often aggressive in sure circumstances, however their true nature is one that’s playful and inquisitive!
Bear Encounters and Omens
As a result of they’re so curious, chances are you’ll come across a bear within the wild, inspecting its environment or in search of meals. Typically, bear encounters happen proper in your personal yard or throughout a tenting journey, however bears are recognized to keep away from people if doable, making sightings a bit uncommon.
For those who see a bear, it might have a non secular which means related to it.
Sure, bears could possibly be an indication of hazard in the event you get too shut, however encountering one represents the energetic boundaries you place in place, focusing in your private and non secular development, discovering goal whenever you really feel caught, or bringing stability again to your life.
What Completely different Kinds of Bears Symbolize
There are solely eight species of bear, however some have symbolic meanings connected to them, together with the polar bear, black bear, brown bear, grizzly bear, and others.
Black Bear Symbolism
Black bears are the most typical bears in North America and symbolize curiosity, making an attempt new issues, child-like surprise, development, and playfulness. Nevertheless, these bears may characterize vulnerability and insecurity in difficult instances.
Polar Bear Symbolism
One of many largest bears to exist, polar bears are extremely fierce and characterize non secular development, residing a full life, believing in your self, and taking dangers.
Grizzly Bear Symbolism
Grizzly bears are a subspecies of brown bears, and although they seem aggressive, they’re simply overly protecting and territorial. Grizzly bear symbolism pertains to safety, being impressed by the divine, private freedom and independence, braveness, and power.
Panda Bear Symbolism
Although they’re well-known for his or her love of bamboo, there are roughly 1,800 panda bears left within the wild, making them endangered animals. Panda bears symbolize residing within the second, making a basis on your life, and placing a steady life first.
Koala Bear Symbolism
Koala bears are literally marsupials who’re intently associated to wombats. Regardless of this, they characterize being affected person, having fun with the small issues in life, and conserving an open thoughts.
Bear Symbolism in Desires
When you may have goals about bears, make sure you are being attentive to the circumstances of the dream, and the way the dream itself makes you are feeling. These are all vital features to remember when contemplating dream interpretation.
Dreaming of a bear attacking you
A bear dream that is about this creature attacking you is definitely a mirrored image of your personal aggression within the bodily world. You will have detrimental emotions in direction of somebody you already know, or resentment that retains constructing.
Dreaming of a bear biting you
When a bear bites you in your dream, it will probably signify actual threats or lies in your life, particularly by somebody near you. Think about this a warning signal that you have to tackle any turmoil in your relationships.
Dreaming of bear cubs
To dream of bear cubs or child bears represents your personal child-like innocence and your need to really feel protected in actual life, or it will probably imply that you simply’re in a development part and are looking for assist.
Dreaming of a speaking bear
Although a dream of a speaking bear could appear foolish, this truly implies that you have to pay very shut consideration to the messages you are being despatched from the spirit world. Belief in your self and hearken to what your guides must say.
Dreaming of a gaggle of bears
A gaggle of bears, often called a sleuth, can point out issues in your private or skilled relationships. It is time to notice your personal detrimental contributions to your relationships, and work out how one can enhance your communication.
Dreaming of looking a bear
Searching a bear in your dream means you might be within the strategy of working your means in direction of success. This dream may imply that you simply’re trying to find a extra affluent and fulfilling life.
Dreaming of an injured bear
A dream about an injured bear is a foul omen, and symbolizes points in your waking life. Chances are you’ll really feel caught or trapped in your circumstances, and need to free your self from what’s holding you again.
Dreaming of killing a bear
To dream of killing a bear implies that your waking life could also be filled with obstacles, however you are prepared and keen to beat no matter life throws you. This dream may characterize your willingness to guard these you like from hurt’s means.
Dreaming of a lifeless bear
A dream of a lifeless bear means you might be answerable for the place life takes you, so it is as much as you to harness your psychological and bodily power and transfer ahead.
Dreaming of a brown bear
For those who dream a few brown bear, it is a signal of recent beginnings and alternatives in your life. Nevertheless, this dream may point out that you could be be spending an excessive amount of time away out of your family members and have to as a substitute give attention to nurturing your relationships with others.
Dreaming of a black bear
Once you dream of a black bear, it relates on to your personal innate instinct; you may additionally have the tendency to “learn” different individuals. With this dream, it is a nudge to stay sturdy within the face of adversity and use your personal items to information you.
Dreaming of a white bear
Dreaming of a white bear or polar bear represents trusting your internal knowledge to maneuver by way of difficulties in life. This dream additionally symbolizes with the ability to overcome these precise not solely along with your knowledge, however your resolve.
Bear Spirit or Totem Animal
Spirit animals are spirit guides that maintain you on the life proper path and train you vital classes alongside the way in which. Equally, totem animals are additionally spirit guides, however animal totems are solely invoked whenever you want steering.
You may’t select your spirit animal, however you will know in case you have a bear spirit animal in the event you’ve had a profound expertise with this creature or resonate with them indirectly.
These with a bear spirit animal are nurturing, protecting of their family members, compassionate, motivated, naturally curious. For people who’ve a bear as a spirit animal, they could seem intimidating or off-putting to others of their first impression, however as soon as they open their hearts, individuals discover them extremely loving.
When you’ve got this spirit animal, bear teaches the significance of being impartial and selfless, discovering your personal pace in a world that will really feel overwhelming at instances, and taking the time to loosen up and decompress from life’s stressors.
A bear totem known as upon whenever you’re in want of self-care, power, braveness and safety. Having a bear totem means discovering methods to remain positive of your self and overcoming difficulties.
With a bear totem, you might be recognized for being a pacesetter who’s playful and fun-loving, however could battle along with your anger and burn out fairly rapidly.
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Religious That means of Bears in Christianity and the Bible
Bears are talked about in each a detrimental and constructive context all through the Bible. Although they are not one of the vital talked about animals on this spiritual textual content, bears are portrayed to characterize nurturing and protecting traits.
There are numerous passages all through the Bible that contain bears:
2 Kings 2:24: “He circled, checked out them and referred to as down a curse on them within the title of the Lord. Then two bears got here out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the boys.” This verse discusses youths mocking God and his prophets, and to show a lesson, God sends bears to maul the younger boys for mocking the phrase of God.
1 Samuel 17:34-35: “However David stated to Saul, ‘Your servant has been conserving his father’s sheep. When a lion or a bear got here and carried off a sheep from the flock, I went after it, struck it and rescued the sheep from its mouth. When it turned on me, I seized it by its hair, struck it and killed it.'” On this passage, bears are portrayed as evil as a result of they’re able to destroying flocks of animals; God and Jesus are as a substitute portrayed as protectors of the flock.
Hosea 13:8: “Like a bear robbed of her cubs, I’ll assault them and rip them open; like a lion I’ll devour them — a wild animal will tear them aside.” A mom bear whose cubs are killed is a ferocious creature, and this verse speaks to a bear’s protecting nature.
Bear Symbolism in Mythology and Folklore
Native American Bear Symbolism
To Native People, bears are extremely sacred. The spirit of the bear is taken into account to be a keeper of infinite knowledge, safety, and therapeutic powers.
Due to how revered bears are in Native American tradition, bear medication is a big a part of their beliefs. As a result of bears are believed to have immense therapeutic powers and knowledge, some tribes would use a bear claw of their medicinal rituals, and warriors additionally wore bear claws for cover.
Whereas many tribes did hunt bears for his or her meat, utilizing extra elements in jewellery or rituals, because of the deep sacred which means the bear holds, different tribes forbade killings of bears, believing it to be disrespectful or harmful.
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Some tribes even have what is called bear clans, a system the place family members hint their kinship by way of the maternal line. Clans typically have animals related to them, and for sure tribes, the bear is their totem.
Far Japanese Bear Symbolism
In Chinese language tradition, the bear is an emblem of masculinity, bravery, and a protector of the house. Bears are a big a part of Feng Shui, and people put bear symbols of their dwelling to ask in constructive power.
For over 3,000 years, bears have been an vital a part of Chinese language medication. Bear bile has been used as a remedy for all totally different situations, together with coronary heart illness, fever, and even gallstones.
In 2697 B.C., the Yellow Emperor, Xuanyuan Huangdi, had bears in his palace and was additionally stated to have tamed bears, additionally utilizing them in fight. Through the Han Dynasty, bears have been additionally used as a supply of leisure, battling with different animals.
In Japanese tradition, particularly the Ainu individuals, bears have been considered god-like; the Ainu referred to bears as “kamuy” which interprets to “god.” The Ainu individuals believed that gods who visited people would seem as bears.
As a result of the Ainu believed bears would give themselves as a present to be eaten, they might increase bear cubs, treating them properly, and would sacrifice them round 2 or 3 years previous, sending their spirits again to the spirit world.
Celtic Bear Symbolism
In Celtic mythology and folklore, bears represented power and stamina, and have been featured in lots of legends. Bears have been considered protectors of spirits in goals, and have been an emblem of rebirth on account of cubs and their mom reemerging from hibernation within the springtime.
The Celts worshipped Artio, the goddess of fertility, nature, bears, the cycle of the seasons, and the cycle of life and loss of life. Artio was stated to hibernate within the winter, and reawaken within the spring. She was additionally recognized to take the type of a bear, or seem as a girl who wore a bear pores and skin cloak. Hunters would invoke Artio’s spirit for power, success, and safety.
Different folklore ideas emerged from the reverence of bears, together with King Arthur and even Beowulf. King Arthur’s title was stated to be impressed by Mercurius Artaius, the Romano-Celtic bear god. Beowulf was additionally considered named after a bear, being known as “bee wolf,” which means a bear attacking bees to retrieve honey.
Historical Greek Bear Symbolism
In Greek mythology, the constellations Ursa Main (often called the Nice Bear) and Ursa Minor (Lesser Bear), often called Large Bear and Little Bear, have been impressed by the parable of Callisto. Callisto was a huntress companion to Artemis, who swore to stay an unwed virgin.
Nevertheless, she caught the attention of Zeus, who reworked himself into Artemis to trick Callisto. Within the myths, Callisto was both reworked right into a bear by Zeus, or by Hera or Artemis, to hide their affair, or as an act of rage for her being unchaste.
She quickly found she was pregnant, and gave delivery to a son named Arcas. Hera, jealous and offended, turned Callisto right into a bear. Throughout a hunt, Artemis killed Callisto, mistaking her for an actual bear.
Different myths say that Arcas, years later, nearly killed Callisto, his personal mom, resulting in Zeus stepping in and turning each Arcas and Callisto into the constellations Large Bear and Little Bear, or the Large Dipper and Little Dipper.
Norse Bear Symbolism
In Nordic tradition, particularly the Sámi, believed the bear may transfer between the bodily world and the non secular world. As a result of bears have been revered to those individuals, there have been rituals involving killing bears to appease the bear’s spirit.
Bears have been additionally related to the god Thor, in addition to his mom, Frigg, the mom of earth. The time period “berserk” was impressed by bears, and is a mixture of the phrase “bear” and “shirt.” Berserkers have been warriors who wore bear skins, turning into frenzied throughout fight and believing themselves to be immune to fireside and metal.
Historical Slavic Symbolism
In historic Slavic tradition, bears have been each worshipped and revered, in addition to killed and eaten. Bears have been related to Volos, god of earth, livestock, and the underworld.
The Nivkh, a semi-nomadic individuals, would increase bear cubs as in the event that they have been human youngsters. After a couple of years, the bears could be sacrificed and eaten, believing the bear’s spirit would return to Radegast, the god of the mountains.
One historic Slavid legend advised of St. Seraphim, a preistmonk within the 1700s, who went into the forest to develop into one with nature. He let wild animals peacefully go to him, which included bears, rabbits, birds, and different animals. An eldress on the monastery additionally witnessed St. Seraphim hand-feed a wild bear.
Bear Tattoo That means
Individuals get tattoos for a wide range of causes, principally to specific themselves creatively or as a reminiscence of one thing they’re happy with. Getting a bear tattoo is a constructive image that may characterize many issues, together with love of nature, connection to spirituality, concord, or freedom.
One may get a tattoo of a teddy bear as a reminder of their childhood innocence, or maybe they get a tattoo of a black bear to recollect the power of this stunning creature.
Others could get a bear tattoo if they’ve a bear spirit animal, or as a result of they’re brave people, have an unspeakable love for his or her youngsters, or want to have an emblem of excellent luck.
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Samantha Maffucci is an editor for YourTango who has written lots of of articles about relationships, trending information and leisure, numerology and astrology. Observe her on Twitter for extra.